The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of Sindh have launched a major vaccination campaign to immunize approximately 1.5 million children who missed critical vaccinations in recent years. This initiative is part of the broader #BigCatchUp movement, designed to close immunization gaps caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and other obstacles.
The campaign targets children aged 2 to 5, a group identified as particularly vulnerable due to previous disruptions to routine immunization services. As a result, many children in this age range did not receive essential vaccines, putting them at greater risk of contracting preventable diseases.
Health officials in Sindh are working in close partnership with WHO experts to ensure that vaccines are accessible and safely administered across various districts. The partnership is particularly focused on reaching underserved communities, as well as restoring trust in vaccination programs among families.
To support the campaign, WHO is providing technical expertise, logistics support, and ongoing monitoring to help local health teams deliver vaccines efficiently and safely. The vaccination drive aligns with global efforts to address declining immunization rates, with a specific focus on areas where coverage has been especially low.
The goal of the campaign is to prevent outbreaks of diseases that can be avoided through vaccination and to help Pakistan continue its progress in improving child health. Officials hope that the success of the initiative in Sindh will encourage similar programs in other regions across the country.
